Montefiore in the News

New York City, NY, (January 24, 2007) - In recognition of its ongoing efforts to improve the health and quality of life for residents in the Bronx, Montefiore Medical Center (MMC) has been named a national finalist for the 2006 Foster G. McGaw Prize – one of the most prestigious honors for excellence in community service in health care. The Foster G. McGaw Prize is sponsored by the American Hospital Association (AHA), The Baxter International Foundation and the Cardinal Health Foundation.  As a finalist, Montefiore will receive $10,000.

“The depth of Montefiore Medical Center’s commitment to improving the lives of the people and communities it serves is evident in its many community service programs, particularly those that focus on the well-being of disadvantaged individuals,” said Susan Manilow, chair of the Foster G. McGaw Prize Committee. “By forging strong relationships with the community, Montefiore Medical Center has made significant headway in meeting not only the medical needs of the underserved, but their social, economic and environmental needs as well.”

Founded in 1884, MMC is the second-largest hospital in New York City and is the largest private provider of medical services to 1.3 million residents of the Bronx. Its network of 21 community-based primary care centers and physician practices offers care
to some of the borough’s poorest and most underserved populations, recording more than 644,000 patient visits in 2005. MMC has one of the nation’s largest homecare programs, providing in-home services to inner city residents in some of the country’s most disadvantaged neighborhoods.

More than 40 percent of children in the Bronx live in families whose income is below the federal poverty level. Bronx children are hospitalized for asthma at a rate six times higher than the rest of the nation. The infant mortality rate is 50 percent higher than the national average and the child hospitalization rate is nearly double the national rate.

"We are proud to be recognized for our long-standing leadership in healthcare advocacy," said Spencer Foreman, MD, president of Montefiore Medical Center. "Throughout our history, we have consistently remained close to our roots by offering a diverse array of community-focused, family-centered services that transcend hospital walls."

Montefiore is being recognized for its efforts to improve the health and quality of life for Bronx residents, particularly children through innovative programs including:

· The Adolescent AIDS Program (AAP):  This program is a comprehensive medical and mental health program for adolescents living with HIV/AIDS, adolescents at risk for HIV infection and lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual or questioning adolescents, their families and caregivers. To increase primary prevention and raise awareness of this disease, the AAP works with agencies such as schools, churches, foster care agencies, gay and lesbian youth organizations, Job Corps and vocational training agencies, health providers, reproductive and school-based health centers and HIV/STD testing sites.

· The J.E. and Z.B. Butler Child Advocacy Center: The center helps children who have been abused or neglected, and provides emergency medical treatment and psychosocial evaluations for 1,000 children each year. The center also provides programs for at-risk families to prevent abuse or neglect before it occurs. Staff from the center regularly visit schools, hospitals, faith-based organizations and community agencies to
discuss prevention efforts. Personal safety classes are taught to elementary school students and supportive instruction is provided to teachers, parent
associations and counselors. The center has strong relationships in the
community and the staff is active on 25 task forces, boards and advocacy groups. They regularly provide medical expertise to hundreds of law enforcement officials and legal professionals each year. Staff members frequently testify in civil and criminal courts on behalf of abused children.

· Keeping Kids Healthy®: This pioneering children’s television series offers guidance to patients nationwide through real-life stories and answers from experts to questions that children and parents have. From issues such as choosing a doctor and breast-feeding to worrying about AIDS and the psychological effects of terrorism, Keeping Kids Healthy provides the knowledge for making well-informed decisions and taking a more active role in a child’s well-being. Each segment is produced by The Children’s Hospital at Montefiore in association with public television station 13/WNET New York. The show airs on 148 public television stations in 89 markets nationwide.

· The Lead Poisoning Prevention Program: This program is the oldest and most comprehensive of its kind in the United States. Spearheaded in 1980 by John Rosen, M.D., this pediatric treatment and prevention program combines early identification of those at risk, improving access to care, engaging in community outreach and advocacy and providing safe, temporary housing at the Lead Safe House for families with lead-poisoned children. Staff from the Lead Safe House ensure that residents’ homes are made lead free by advocating for their rights. Parents receive training and support for their own families and to help educate and mobilize others in the fight against lead poisoning. Assisting in this effort are highly motivated volunteers called “Lead Busters” who are usually parents of lead-poisoned children. Volunteers undergo MMC’s lead training sessions and have become valuable community leaders. With their help, more than 5,000 high-risk families are reached annually.

· Montefiore’s School Health Program: The school health program collaborates with primary care providers and community agencies to identify and provide for the health care needs of the school-aged population in poor, medically underserved communities. The combined efforts have reached over 15,000 children in 13 elementary, middle and high schools throughout the Bronx. Established in 1983, the Montefiore School Health Program is the largest school-based health clinic network in the country. Children receive comprehensive primary care including dental and mental health services. Classes are taught in the clinic for students with asthma, as well as puberty classes for middle school students. High school students receive education on reproductive health care, conflict resolution, smoking cessation and prevention of binge drinking.

The 2006 winner of the $100,000 Foster G. McGaw Prize is Memorial Healthcare System of Hollywood, Fla. In addition to Montefiore, other finalists include Baystate Health in Springfield, Mass. and Sisters of Charity Health System in Lewiston, Maine.

"The Foster G. McGaw Prize acknowledges health care organizations that go the
extra mile - and often beyond - to improve the lives of the people in their communities," said Susan Manilow, chair of the Foster G. McGaw Prize Committee. "This year’s winner and finalists are models of innovative leadership and partnership, sustained commitment and wide-ranging initiatives that achieve striking results in community health and vitality."

About The Foster G. McGaw Prize
The Foster G. McGaw Prize, first awarded in 1986, recognizes health care organizations that demonstrate commitment to community service through a range of programs that demonstrate a passion and continuous commitment to making communities healthier and more vital. The prize inspires hospitals, health systems and communities to assess and implement programs that improve their communities.

About The Foster G. McGaw Prize Sponsors
The American Hospital Association is a not-for-profit association of health care
provider organizations and individuals that are committed to the health improvement of their communities. The AHA is the national advocate for its members, which include almost 5,000 hospitals, health care systems, networks, other providers of care and 37,000 individual members. Founded in 1898, the AHA provides education for health care leaders and is a source of information on health care issues and trends. For more information, visit the AHA Web site at http://www.aha.org/.

The Baxter International Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Baxter
International Inc., helps organizations increase access to healthcare in the United States and around the world.  The foundation, established in 1981, began to focus exclusively on increasing access to healthcare in 2002 -- particularly for the disadvantaged and underserved -- in and near communities where Baxter employees live and work.
Baxter International Inc., through its subsidiaries, assists healthcare professionals and their patients with the treatment of complex medical conditions, including hemophilia, immune disorders, cancer, infectious diseases, kidney disease, trauma, and other conditions. The company applies its expertise in medical devices, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology to make a meaningful difference in patients' lives.  For more information, please visit http://www.baxter.com/.

Supported by the global resources of Cardinal Health (http://www.cardinalhealth.com/),
including more than 55,000 employees around the world, the Cardinal Health
Foundation is the focal point of the company's community relations’ efforts. The Foundation's mission is to advance and fund regional and national programs that improve access to and delivery of quality health care services. With annual revenues of nearly $81 billion and operations on six continents, Cardinal Health is the leading provider of products and services supporting the health care industry.
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